Cleavers

What Is Cleavers?

Cleavers is a sprawling annual herb of the madder family, known for the tiny hooked bristles that make it cling to clothing and fur. Those bristles give it folk names such as “sticky willy” and “goosegrass”. In Western herbal medicine it is a cooling lymphatic and diuretic herb, taken steadily over time for swollen glands, skin eruptions and urinary complaints such as cystitis.

Galium aparine began as a plant of western Eurasia and the Mediterranean and is now a weed almost worldwide, clambering over forest margins, fields and disturbed ground ^{12,13Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}. The fresh aerial parts are the medicine, taken as juice, infusion or tincture.

Its chemistry is led by iridoid glycosides, chiefly monotropein, along with caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids ^{1,2Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}. Research on the herb is small and preclinical, and has looked mainly at immune stimulation, antioxidant activity and liver protection ^{1,2,3,4,5Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →Reference 4Bokhari et al. · 2013In vitroEvaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine — in vitro studyView study →Reference 5Sahin et al. · 2022AnimalGalium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats — in vivo animal modelView study →}.

Cleavers is sometimes confused with a close relative, Galium spurium. Many older works treated the two as one species, and Flora of China now keeps them apart ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}.

How Is Cleavers Used?

• Liquid extract — a 1:2 extract, taken at 30–60 mL across the week in divided doses.
• Infusion — a water infusion of the aerial parts, the form closest to traditional use and the one tested for antioxidant and immune activity ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}.
• Fresh juice — pressed from the fresh plant.
• Poultice or wash — applied to minor skin complaints, ulcers and slow-healing wounds ^{6,11Reference 6Beirami et al. · 2024In vitroBringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro studyView study →Reference 11Quinlan FJ · 1883Galium Aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers — historical clinical noteView study →}.

Traditional Uses

Western Herbal Medicine

Cleavers has a long place in British and European herbal practice as a cooling alterative and lymphatic herb. It is used for swollen glands, lymphatic congestion and skin eruptions, and as a diuretic for cystitis and other urinary complaints. The aerial parts have a monograph in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}.

The bruised or infused herb was applied to wounds, burns and skin complaints in folk medicine across Europe, Asia and the Americas ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}. An 1883 note in the British Medical Journal records its use for chronic ulcers ^{11Reference 11Quinlan FJ · 1883Galium Aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers — historical clinical noteView study →}.

Older sources also list cleavers for gonorrhoea and for uterine fibroids.

Chinese Folk Medicine: Zhu Yang Yang

In Chinese regional materia medica the plant called zhū yāng yāng (猪殃殃) is used to clear heat and resolve toxicity, and for oedema and painful urination. Flora of China applies that name to Galium spurium, a close relative that older Chinese works treated as a variety of cleavers. True G. aparine is rare in China ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}.

Indications

• Swollen glands and lymphatic congestion [aerial parts; Western herbal medicine]
• Urinary tract infections and cystitis [aerial parts; Western herbal medicine]
• Fluid retention [aerial parts; Western herbal medicine] ⚠Caution: No study has measured urine output, electrolyte excretion or any kidney endpoint for cleavers.
• Skin eruptions [aerial parts; Western herbal medicine]
• Minor skin complaints, chronic ulcers and slow-healing wounds [fresh or infused herb, applied to the skin]
• Immune support [aerial-part extracts]
• Gonorrhoea [aerial parts; older Western herbal sources] ⚠Caution: No study has tested cleavers against gonorrhoea, which is a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics.
• Uterine fibroids [aerial parts; older Western herbal sources]

Botany

Cleavers is a sprawling annual herb in the madder family (Rubiaceae) ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}. Its weak, four-angled stems are usually 30–90 cm long. They cannot stand on their own and clamber over other plants, reaching up to about 1.8 m ^{12,13Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}.

Small, backward-pointing prickles line the angles of the stems and the midribs and margins of the leaves. These prickles let the plant hook onto its neighbours, and they are what make it cling to a hand or a sleeve ^{12,13Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}.

The leaves are narrow, 1–6 cm long, and grow in whorls of six to eight (occasionally up to ten) around the stem ^{12,13Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}. The flowers are tiny, 1.5–2 mm across, with four white or yellowish-green lobes. They grow in small clusters in the leaf axils and at the stem tips, from spring into summer ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}.

Each fruit splits into a pair of rounded nutlets 2.5–5 mm long, densely covered in hooked hairs. The burrs cling readily to fur and clothing, which is how the seed spreads ^{12,13Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}.

Distribution

Cleavers originated in western Eurasia and the Mediterranean and has spread as a weed to almost every part of the world ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}. Its range includes Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, Siberia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, from the plains to 3,500 m ^{14Reference 14Nazimuddin et al.Galium aparine LView study →}.

It grows across most of North America, although it is unclear whether it is native there ^{13Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}. In China it is rare and possibly introduced, and most Chinese plants once filed under this name are Galium spurium ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}.

Cleavers grows in forest margins, riversides, meadows, open fields and farmland, from sea level to about 2,500 m in China ^{12Reference 12Chen et al. · 2011Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — floraView study →}. In the southeastern United States it is typically found in riverside and floodplain forests ^{13Reference 13North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species databaseView study →}.

Growing Conditions

Cultivation snapshot for Cleavers

Lifeannual

• Cool-season annual that germinates in autumn or early spring and races to seed before summer heat.
• Prefers moist, fertile soil and does best in part shade, though it tolerates full sun where the ground stays damp.
• Self-clinging and self-seeding — it needs no support or sowing effort and readily colonizes disturbed edges on its own.
• Genuinely weedy: expect it to spread by hooked burrs and to reappear yearly unless the tops are pulled before seed sets.

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Pharmacology & Research

Fewer than a dozen studies have examined Galium aparine itself, all in cells or animals. No human trial of cleavers has been published ^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →Reference 4Bokhari et al. · 2013In vitroEvaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine — in vitro studyView study →Reference 5Sahin et al. · 2022AnimalGalium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats — in vivo animal modelView study →Reference 6Beirami et al. · 2024In vitroBringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro studyView study →Reference 7Sharifi-Rad et al. · 2016In vitroAnti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity of Rubiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae plants — in vitro studyView study →Reference 8Atmaca et al. · 2016In vitroEffects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines — in vitro studyView study →Reference 9Shi et al. · 2016In vitroSeparation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase — in vitro studyView study →Reference 10Kubilay et al. · 2026In vitroAnticancer Effects of Galium aparine L Extract: Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity in HNO210 Human Laryngeal Carcinoma Cells — in vitro studyView study →}.

The studies used ethanolic or methanolic extracts, or water infusions, of the aerial parts. They cluster around immune stimulation, which has the only whole-animal study, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. Single studies cover liver protection, antimicrobial activity and wound healing ^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →Reference 4Bokhari et al. · 2013In vitroEvaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine — in vitro studyView study →Reference 5Sahin et al. · 2022AnimalGalium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats — in vivo animal modelView study →Reference 6Beirami et al. · 2024In vitroBringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro studyView study →Reference 7Sharifi-Rad et al. · 2016In vitroAnti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity of Rubiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae plants — in vitro studyView study →Reference 8Atmaca et al. · 2016In vitroEffects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines — in vitro studyView study →Reference 9Shi et al. · 2016In vitroSeparation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase — in vitro studyView study →Reference 10Kubilay et al. · 2026In vitroAnticancer Effects of Galium aparine L Extract: Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity in HNO210 Human Laryngeal Carcinoma Cells — in vitro studyView study →}.

1. Immunomodulatory

This is the strongest theme, and the only one with a whole-animal study. In mice whose immune systems had been suppressed with cyclophosphamide, a water extract of G. aparine injected into the abdomen for three days produced a dose-dependent recovery of spleen weight and splenocyte proliferation. It also raised natural-killer-cell activity and IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ from stimulated spleen cells ^{3Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →}.

Two earlier in vitro studies from a Ukrainian group found that 20%, 60% and 96% ethanolic extracts ^{1Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →} and a plain water infusion ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →} of the aerial parts stimulate lymphocyte blast transformation. The 96% ethanolic extract was the most active ^{1Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →}.

The extracts studied were rich in iridoids (monotropein, asperulosidic acid) and caffeoylquinic acids ^{1,2Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}. Which of them carries the effect has not been worked out. The direction is immune stimulation, not suppression.

Gap: the cytokine profile is pro-inflammatory, and the whole-animal study used injection rather than oral dosing. No human data exist.

2. Antioxidant

This is the most replicated activity. In a fractionation study, the aqueous fraction of a methanol extract was the strongest scavenger of DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, superoxide and hydrogen-peroxide radicals, with activity tracking total phenolic and flavonoid content ^{4Reference 4Bokhari et al. · 2013In vitroEvaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine — in vitro studyView study →}.

A water infusion, prepared the way the herb is drunk, directly scavenged DPPH, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}. A 2024 wound-healing study reported DPPH scavenging comparable to ascorbic acid ^{6Reference 6Beirami et al. · 2024In vitroBringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro studyView study →}.

The activity follows the phenolic content rather than the iridoids ^{4Reference 4Bokhari et al. · 2013In vitroEvaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine — in vitro studyView study →}.

All of it is in vitro. No study has measured an antioxidant effect in a living animal or person.

3. Hepatoprotective

One whole-animal study supports this. Rats were given G. aparine by mouth at 250 or 500 mg/kg for five days before a toxic dose of paracetamol (acetaminophen). Pretreatment reduced liver necrosis and lowered ALT, AST and bilirubin ^{5Reference 5Sahin et al. · 2022AnimalGalium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats — in vivo animal modelView study →}.

The study was set up because the plant is used traditionally for jaundice. It found only a limited effect on the hepatic-encephalopathy endpoints, while the treated rats showed less anxiety-like behaviour ^{5Reference 5Sahin et al. · 2022AnimalGalium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats — in vivo animal modelView study →}.

The herb was given before the injury, so the study does not show whether it helps once liver damage is established.

4. Antimicrobial

Two in vitro studies found that cleavers extracts inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. A methanolic leaf extract was among the three most active of six plants tested against 92 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates, and it had a high polyphenol and flavonoid content ^{7Reference 7Sharifi-Rad et al. · 2016In vitroAnti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity of Rubiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae plants — in vitro studyView study →}.

A 2024 study likewise found S. aureus more susceptible than E. coli or S. epidermidis to a hydroalcoholic G. aparine extract ^{6Reference 6Beirami et al. · 2024In vitroBringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro studyView study →}.

These are disc-diffusion and broth-dilution tests, with no infection model in an animal behind them.

5. Antiproliferative

Three in vitro studies report cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines. A methanolic extract reduced the viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent way, while sparing non-cancerous MCF-10A breast cells. It caused G1 arrest, with apoptosis in one cell line and necrosis in the other ^{8Reference 8Atmaca et al. · 2016In vitroEffects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines — in vitro studyView study →}.

In separate work, a petroleum-ether fraction of a 60% ethanol extract slowed the growth of K562 leukaemia cells. The activity was attributed to β-sitosterol, daucosterol and dibutyl phthalate, with dibutyl phthalate the most active ^{9Reference 9Shi et al. · 2016In vitroSeparation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase — in vitro studyView study →}. A 2026 study showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HNO210 laryngeal carcinoma cells ^{10Reference 10Kubilay et al. · 2026In vitroAnticancer Effects of Galium aparine L Extract: Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity in HNO210 Human Laryngeal Carcinoma Cells — in vitro studyView study →}.

Gap: dibutyl phthalate is a common plasticiser, so its origin in the extract is uncertain. The remaining findings are in vitro, across unrelated cell lines, with no consistent mechanism, and selectivity for cancer cells was tested only once.

6. Wound Healing

One 2024 study tested the plant’s oldest documented use. A hydroalcoholic G. aparine extract improved cell migration and wound closure in a scratch assay. It was not toxic to human dermal fibroblasts or umbilical-vein endothelial cells, and it was active against S. aureus with antioxidant capacity comparable to ascorbic acid ^{6Reference 6Beirami et al. · 2024In vitroBringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro studyView study →}.

The result matches an 1883 note on cleavers for chronic ulcers ^{11Reference 11Quinlan FJ · 1883Galium Aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers — historical clinical noteView study →} and the herb’s long topical use for skin complaints ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}.

A scratch assay is a layer of cells in a dish, not a healing wound. Whether topical cleavers speeds real wound closure is untested.

7. Anti-Inflammatory

This is the weakest of the scored activities. The infusion study showed scavenging of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}, both relevant to inflammation. The one whole-animal G. aparine study pushed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) up, not down ^{3Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →}, so the net effect of the whole herb on inflammation is unclear.

No dedicated anti-inflammatory study exists for cleavers, such as a paw-oedema model or a cytokine-suppression test.

8. Diuretic

Cleavers is classed as a diuretic in the British herbal tradition, and this is the basis of its use for cystitis and urinary complaints. No study has measured urine output, electrolyte excretion or any kidney endpoint for G. aparine.

Gap: the diuretic action has not been measured in any model or species. The tradition is well documented, and the effect is untested.

Mechanisms

The two actions cleavers is best known for, the diuretic and the lymphatic, have no studied mechanism. The mechanisms that have been studied belong to two groups of compounds. The iridoid glycosides, led by monotropein and asperulosidic acid, dominate the extracts used in the immune studies.

The flavonoids, caffeoylquinic acids and coumarins have been studied for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The one whole-animal immune study found immune stimulation, with a rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines ^{3Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →}.

Clinical Trials

No clinical trials of Galium aparine in humans are registered or published. The count below reflects the published experimental literature.

Last checked: July 2026.

Phytochemistry

The aerial parts of cleavers contain iridoid glycosides. Monotropein, deacetylasperulosidic acid and asperulosidic acid are the main iridoids in its ethanolic extracts, and asperuloside has also been reported ^{1,2Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}.

In a water infusion, monotropein measured 5.27 µg/mg of extract and deacetylasperulosidic acid 1.96 µg/mg ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}. The same infusion contained caffeoylquinic acids, led by chlorogenic acid at 4.68 µg/mg, and about 1.3% total polyphenols and tannins ^{2Reference 2Ilina et al. · 2020In vitroImmunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro studyView study →}.

The flavonoids include rutin and other quercetin glycosides, among them quercetin 3-O-rhamnoglucoside-7-O-glucoside, first isolated from a Galium species in 2019 ^{1Reference 1Ilina et al. · 2019In vitroPhytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro studyView study →}. The coumarins scopoletin and umbelliferone are also reported. The sterols β-sitosterol and its glucoside daucosterol were isolated from a petroleum-ether fraction of the herb ^{9Reference 9Shi et al. · 2016In vitroSeparation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase — in vitro studyView study →}.

The root contains the anthraquinone nordamnacanthal.

Constituent Summary

Measured amounts are from a water infusion of the aerial parts.

Dosage

Cleavers is dosed by preparation. It is taken steadily over time rather than in large single doses.

Safety & Pregnancy

Cleavers has a long record as a gentle herb, with no reports of significant toxicity. No formal safety, interaction or reproductive study has been done.

Full Safety Detail

Toxicity. The modern literature contains no reports of significant toxicity. It also contains no dedicated safety, drug-interaction or pharmacokinetic study.

Immune-modulating therapy. In immunosuppressed mice, an injected water extract raised IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ and stimulated lymphocyte and natural-killer-cell activity ^{3Reference 3Lee et al. · 2024AnimalImmuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal modelView study →}. Cleavers is best avoided alongside immunosuppressant therapy and in active autoimmune disease. This caution is inferred from the animal finding and has not been tested in people.

Diuretics and kidney disease. Because of its traditional diuretic use, take care in people on prescription diuretics or with significant kidney or urinary disease. The diuretic effect itself has never been measured.

Allergy. Avoid in known allergy to plants of the madder family (Rubiaceae).

References

1. Ilina, T., Kashpur, N., Granica, S., Bazylko, A., Shinkovenko, I., Kovalyova, A., Goryacha, O., & Koshovyi, O. (2019). Phytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. — in vitro study. Plants, 8(12), 541. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31775336/
2. Ilina, T., Skowrońska, W., Kashpur, N., Granica, S., Bazylko, A., Kovalyova, A., Goryacha, O., & Koshovyi, O. (2020). Immunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb — in vitro study. Molecules, 25(16), 3721. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32824103/
3. Lee, S. Y., Park, S. Y., & Park, H. J. (2024). Immuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models — in vivo animal model. Nutrients, 16(5), 597. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38474724/
4. Bokhari, J., Khan, M. R., Shabbir, M., Rashid, U., Jan, S., & Zai, J. A. (2013). Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine — in vitro study. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 102, 24–29. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23211618/
5. Sahin, B., Karabulut, S., Filiz, A. K., Özkaraca, M., et al. (2022). Galium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats — in vivo animal model. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 366, 110119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36029804/
6. Beirami, A. D., Akhtari, N., Noroozi, R., Hatamabadi, D., et al. (2024). Bringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay — in vitro study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), 279. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39044256/
7. Sharifi-Rad, M., Iriti, M., Sharifi-Rad, M., Gibbons, S., & Sharifi-Rad, J. (2016). Anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity of Rubiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae plants — in vitro study. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 62(9), 39–45. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27585260/
8. Atmaca, H., Bozkurt, E., Cittan, M., & Dilek Tepe, H. (2016). Effects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines — in vitro study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 186, 305–310. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27085941/
9. Shi, G., Liu, J., Zhao, W., Liu, Y., et al. (2016). Separation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase — in vitro study. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 24(3), 241–244. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27275108/
10. Kubilay, U., Bayar Muluk, N., Alaskarov, E., Bulbul, M. V., et al. (2026). Anticancer Effects of Galium aparine L Extract: Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity in HNO210 Human Laryngeal Carcinoma Cells — in vitro study. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41493013/
11. Quinlan FJ (1883). Galium Aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers — historical clinical note. British Medical Journal, 1(1172), 1173. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20750642/
12. Chen, T., & Ehrendorfer, F. (2011). Galium aparine Linnaeus and Galium spurium Linnaeus — species descriptions, habitat and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., & Hong, D. Y. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 19. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200022084
13. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (n.d.). Galium aparine (cleavers) — description, habit, habitat and range — species database. NC State University. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/
14. Nazimuddin, S., & Qaiser, M. Galium aparine L. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Rubiaceae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200022084

View all 14 references▾